ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Wine Professionals

The 9-credit Wine Professional Certificate program is one semester.
Learn more about this program today!

Staci Mickelson, '11

"I am where I am today because of the Wine Professional program," says Staci. "I learned the value of networking. I was able to meet many industry professionals." She attributes her success as a wine representative to the skills she acquired in program courses. She has gone on to become a Certified Sommelier as well as the Les Dames d’Escoffier Wine Legacy Award winner in 2016.

Lauren Voigt, '17

Founder of a regional wine blog, Minnesota Uncorked, and now the marketing coordinator for Oregon based Knudsen Vineyards, headquartered in Minneapolis, Lauren notes, “The program’s emphasis on the business of wine and wine marketing, provided me a well-rounded skill-set from service to business, preparing me for a wide range of careers in wine.”

Scott Anderson, '16

As the new director of sales and marketing for Rootstock Wine Co., Scott says he would not have had this opportunity without the knowledge and confidence he gained through the Wine Professional program. His aspiration is to "become an indispensable wine asset for our customers while representing our producers with integrity.

Sharlene Peterson, '16

“I gained knowledge in multiple areas of the wine industry, including wine laws, history, marketing, sales, and service,” says Sharlene. “I feel the most important part was the exposure to all of the different wines.” She has gone on to pass the Certified Sommelier exam through CMS and is currently working on WSET 3. She is also a Wine Educator with Twin Cities Wine Education.

Nikki Erpelding, '06

Wine Professional Certificate program instructor Not only is Nikki an alum, but she has been the Wine Professional Certificate program instructor since 2011. She also runs the Globally recognized WSET level 1 and 2 wine courses at her new school, Vine Lab Wine & Spirits Academy MN. She also teaches “Wine & Spirits Education” courses in our continuing education division. With a passion for food and wine, her career experience includes restaurant management, boutique wine wholesaler, and retail management/buyer in Wine & Spirits. Nikki’s fulltime position is Italian fine wine specialist and a territory manager for Leonardo LoCascio Selections, a member of The Winebow Group.